Category: Odds ‘n Sods

The Seven States Running Out of Water. JWR’s Comment: But consider that watching year-to-year drought conditions give you only the micro view, while monitoring long term the depth of aquifers (water tables) gives you the macro view. (Looking at longer time frame provides better long term planning.) Be sure to study aquifer depletion before choosing a retreat locale!    o o o Sacred mystery: Blockbuster ratings for ‘The Bible’ confound Hollywood. JWR’s Comment: What “mystery”? People just like to watch uplifting and wholesome things.    o o o A bit of humor: As every real prepper knows: Le papier ne …

Reader Mark H. sent: Data on MRE Shelf Life Dictates Shorter Shelf Life –New Chart    o o o What Is An “Assault Rifle”? – You’ve Probably Been Lied To. Starting a 5:55, watch him transform a humble Mini-14 into something “Evil” looking–at least in the eyes of Chuckie Schumer and Dianne Feinstein. But we must remember that outward appearances are meaningless: Esse quam videri. (Translated: “To be rather than to seem.”) That should be our byword, whether we are judging the looks of a rifle, or the looks of people. Just because a rifle is black doesn’t make it …

The Role of Biometrics in Future Domestic Conflicts    o o o The television series Revolution is scheduled to resume airing new episodes on Monday, March 25, 2013. While it is not up to par with Jericho or even Terminator – The Sarah Connor Chronicles, it is the only quasi-survivalist game in town on television.    o o o Kensington digs in with ban on ‘mega basements’    o o o J.B.G. sent this from England: Could we face gas rationing? British gas reserves could run dry in 36 hours after freezing householders turn the heating up

Interesting Interview With Duane Liptak of Magpul    o o o G.G. sent: Sun Storm Forecast: Tiny Chance of Havoc    o o o R&N wrote to mention that the reloading primers shortage is getting worse. Both Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s are sold out of most types of rifle primers.    o o o James C. sent: 36 Sneaky Hidden Compartments    o o o DHS questioned over decision to let Saudi passengers skip normal passport controls. (Thanks to Peter S. for the link.)

Reader H.L. mentioned: Federal Firearms License Granted for 3D Printed Guns    o o o Reader Ryan B. found this great online resource: Academic Life in Emergency Medicine    o o o VOA is still experimenting with digital modes. (Thanks to PNG for the link.)    o o o The folks at Ready Made Resources mentioned that they now have just four DPMS TAC-2 AR-15 carbines in stock at $1,399 with free shipping. (Must be shipped to an FFL holder.)    o o o New Jersey tries to intimidate NRA instructor and steal his guns. JWR’s Comment: As previously mentioned, …

Reader Tom R. mentioned that Armageddon Online is offering 297 free online reference books.    o o o Growing Number Of States Eye Bills To Defy Federal Gun Laws    o o o Another couple of signs of the times: 1.) Here at the Rawles Ranch, we just received the latest Cabela’s mini catalog. This one is for “Self Defense & Tactical.” It included NO magazines of any capacity! Apparently their magazine supplies are so thin (or so deeply backordered) that they didn’t dare list any. And, 2.) The following was in the latest DoD Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) e-newsletter: …

Scientists warn Oregon legislators of cataclysm when earthquake, tsunami strike    o o o Radio Free Redoubt reports: Voice of America tests transmitting on digital mode.    o o o Kerry Voices U.S. Support for NRA-opposed U.N. Arms Treaty. [JWR’s Comment: Can we really trust his sincerity when he states: “We will not support any treaty that would be inconsistent with U.S. law and the rights of American citizens under our Constitution, including the Second Amendment.” Yeah, right. Kerry gives new meaning to the term lip service. Since this treaty would undoubtedly diminish our constitutional right, then why would even …

Emergency Essentials is continuing their semi-annual Mountain House Sale.  All Mountain House cans are priced 20-25% off.  The sale is for one week only, ending the night of March 21st at midnight.     o o o D.C. recommended this: An Orwellian America    o o o Pantry Paratus has recently added American-made Chop Rite brand grinders and presses to their catalog. These are made in America and have been since the late 1800s. In fact, if anyone has an old antique Enterprise brand meat grinder, that is the company’s original name and all of the replacement parts and attachments are …

Reader Jeff H. sent: Guns & Ammo Ranks the Best States for Gun Owners in 2013.    o o o Some inevitable news, from New York State: Silver Creek man becomes first arrest under new gun laws. (If the 2nd Amendment doesn’t apply to modern firearms like the AR-15, then the 1st Amendment doesn’t apply to modern media like television and the Internet.)    o o o Seed for Security is offering their Seed Saving Guide, with the purchase of each Super Survival Pack. This guide includes instructions on how to save corn, bean, Pea, winter squash, pumpkin, spinach, tomato, …

The folks at Pantry Paratus wrote to mention that thusfar they have raised $3,312 for Christian Reformed Outreach, South Sudan Ministries (C.R.O.S.S.) And of course the recent C.R.O.S.S. benefit auction of a PVS-14 Gen 3+ Night Vision Scope brought in $3,900 in one felled swoop. Special thanks to Ready Made Resources and Night Ops Tactical, who split the wholesale cost of that scope.    o o o G.G. sent: SWAT officer attracts ridicule after he’s pictured with his rifle sight on backwards. (Gee, if they can’t cure s”stupid” with training, then perhaps with an equipment retrofit.) The scary thing is, …

Reader C.D.V. mentioned this handy online table: How many cups in a pound of…    o o o Drone Strikes On American Citizens: Peter Schiff / Rand Paul Interview    o o o Census shows record 1 in 3 US counties are dying off. (Thanks to Tim J. for the link.)    o o o Reader C.D.V. sent some more demographics: America’s sadness belt: Alarming map shows residents in South and Midwest are far more likely to be depressed, obese and hate their jobs    o o o Kevin S. pointed me to this prototype: Quadski. [JWR’s Comment: In our …

UN Arms Trade Treaty 2013 – It’s Back…    o o o Some news from Utah: ‘Constitutional carry’ law could create showdown between governor and legislators    o o o This retreat property, recently added to our SurvivalRealty spin-off site, is proof that there are still some great rural properties in Northern California: New Long Valley Retreat. If work or family commitments have you stuck in California, then this is about as good as they get.    o o o Wary of Attack With Smallpox, U.S. Buys Up a Costly Drug. (Thanks to G.G. for the link.)    o o …

G.G. suggested this at Popular Mechanics: How to Stock Your Disaster Pantry    o o o Defense Distributed’s Cody Wilson: Rebel. Cause. Some Assembly Required.    o o o Chris Walsh of Revolutionary Realty suggested this video: How To: Break an axle on a Daihatsu Hijet    o o o Deeper Schumer: We Have Language for S. 374, the Transfer Ban. (Thanks to Bill N. for the link.)    o o o Statist scheming, perfected: After Aurora: How Mayor Bloomberg Planned to Make the Next Massacre Count. (Thanks to Pierre M. for the link.)

David S. was the first of several readers to send this: It’s Official – L.A. Officials Say : Prep For Two Weeks On Your Own    o o o H.L. sent: Has Gun Ownership in American Homes Really Decreased This Dramatically? H.L. opines, perhaps correctly: “No, gun ownership has probably increased, but the willingness to mention them to government officials and pollsters has decreased.”    o o o Some food for thought: Christians, The Second Amendment And The Duty Of Self Defense    o o o Freeze Dry Guy has announced that they are giving back 20%-30% back in Survival Bucks  …

How to Use a [BUSTED] Cell Phone to Meet 5 Basic Survival Needs. (Thanks to Otter for the link.)    o o o G.G. flagged this: UPDATE: Number Of U.S. Gun Makers Refusing Sales To Gov’t In ‘Firearms Equality Movement’ Triples In Two Weeks    o o o Reese Case: Prosecution Appeals Judge Brack’s Decision    o o o According to the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arm (CCRKBA), you should be aware of five pieces of pending Federal gun legislation: • H.R. 138 would ban transfer or possession of standard-capacity magazines, targeting those that hold …